A Guide to Coverup Tattoos

Whether it's because the art didn't turn out right or the ink hasn't aged well, a lot of people have tattoos they want to cover. Coverups can be tricky depending on how dark the unwanted tattoo is but they are some of my favorite projects.

Though this piece employs a stark, black coverup method, the imagery around it lightens the overall effect and draws the eye around.

Laser Removal Before a Coverup?

Laser tattoo removal takes several sessions to fully remove a tattoo - usually a minimum of 8-9 sessions. You have to wait 6 weeks between laser sessions to let the skin fully heal as the process damages the skin and can cause blistering. On top of all that it's expensive and painful. However, sometimes laser removal can increase your options with a coverup. I will recommend laser removal before a coverup every once in a while, but it's not usually necessary. Sometimes you can get away with fewer laser sessions to simply lighten the old tattoo a bit. Laser removal sucks but it's important to consider all options to have the best end result possible.

The original tattoo was faded enough to cover it with (almost) whatever the client wanted. Here you can see it with the stencil.

Designing for Coverup Tattoos

I usually recommend coverups be at least 3-4 times the size of the original tattoo - otherwise the end result will very obviously be a coverup. Usually it's best to use strong, opaque or dark colors over the old ink but you can use all kinds of beautiful palettes for them. Florals are a popular go-to as the shapes are large, organic and easy to modify, but there is a myriad of subject matter that could work for any given coverup. It's best to approach a project with a few ideas you'd be open to as your first choice may not work well.

For this tattoo, the client opted for a floral cuff. The lighter florals helps balance the darkness needed to coverup the original symbol.

Placement

While designing for a coverup, I try to have the shapes of the new tattoo flow over the old design seamlessly. I take several photos of the area of the body to be tattooed so I can plan for this accordingly, but there are almost always adjustments that need to be made on appointment day for the perfect fit. Tattoos that wrap to different areas of the body are great for coverups, so the placement needs to be just right. A full day session for the first appointment is recommended to provide ample time for the stencil process.

How Much do Coverups Cost?

The goal with a coverup is to end up with a tattoo you can be proud of. This means not making the same mistakes that led to the original, unwanted tattoo. Make sure you work with an artist you trust and who has experience with the process.

Coverups are generally large and time consuming. The designs require more thought and the stencil placement must be exact. Sometimes another pass is needed over the original tattoo to hide stubborn sections of old ink. For these reasons, the process of getting a coverup can be pricey. The same hourly rates apply as any other tattoo, but each step of the process takes a bit longer. An artist can give an estimate of cost, but ultimately the skin will dictate a lot about the tattoo process.

The old tattoo was large but relatively faded. A full color, detailed design was enough for me to completely cover the old.

Can You Tattoo Over Scars and Stretch Marks?

It can be hard to predict how scar tissue will hold ink but I've had a lot of success with it. Consider trying a scar cream or gel for a few months before moving forward with a coverup. Though a tattoo may obscure the discoloration of a scar, it cannot change the texture of your skin.

Stretch marks also behave differently - They tend to blow out very easily. Consider using something like Bio Oil for the months leading up to your sessions to reduce the stretch marks slightly.